12th October 2026 • My Family Our Needs
Last Updated: 12th October 2026
Looking for SEND-friendly festive events to go to with the family? Halloween, Bonfire night and Christmas days-out can be exciting but overstimulating and sometimes tricky times for SEND families. With the help of London Sensory Adventures, here are a selection of the best SEND friendly activities in and around London this winter 2026.
🧡 Always check availability before travelling, as SEND sessions have limited spaces.
Halloween and October half term🎃👻
🎃Kew Gardens Sensory: Friendly Halloween Trail
📅16 Oct – 1st Nov
❓Dedicated relaxed sessions if you attend on the earliest time slot with reduced visitor numbers, quieter lighting and sound book via the Fever App.
Find out more here: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/halloween-at-kew
👻Gunnersbury Park Museum, London
📅Mon 26 Oct | ⏰ 10am–12pm | 💷 FREE
❓Relaxed session for neurodivergent children & young people aged 5–25. Sensory-reduced museum, creepy creatures trail, games & chill-out room.
Find out more here: https://www.visitgunnersbury.org/
🚂Audley End Enchanted Railway, Saffron Walden
📅 17th October – 1st November | 💷 From £9.65 | Essential Companion £6.75.
❓Dedicated SEND sessions with reduced queuing, lower sound levels and no flashing/UV lights or unexpected sounds during the show.
Find out more here: https://audley-end-railway.co.uk/seasonal-event/halloween-special/
🪩Halloween Silent Disco, SEND in the Dengie, Southminster, Essex
📅Fri 30 Oct | ⏰ 6:30–8:30pm | 💷 From £5 | Carers Free
❓SEND-specific Halloween silent disco with headsets, different music channels & optional fancy dress.
Find out more here: https://bookwhen.com/gtxj2#focus=ev-shjzu-20261030183000
🎭October Half Term Alice in Wonderland Theatre Workshop, Head2Head Sensory Theatre, Oxted, Surrey
📅26–29 Oct | ⏰ 10am–3pm | 💷 £60.00 – £216.00
❓Alice in Wonderland themed SEND sensory theatre workshop for ages 13+ with learning disabilities.
Find out more here: https://h2hsensorytheatre.com/product/october-half-term-send-workshop-surrey/
🎃SEN Pumpkin Festival Morning, Hobbledown, Epsom, Essex
📅28 Oct
❓Early entry for SEND families, reduced crowds, pumpkin trail, sensory play and animal encounters.
🎟️Book through Hobbledown’s Accessibility Events page.
Find out more here: https://www.hobbledown.com/epsom/whats-on/hobbledown-pumpkin-event/
🎤Little Folk Halloween Nursery Rhymes, Beckenham Place Mansion, Beckenham
📅29 Oct | ⏰ 10:30-11am | 💷 £14 for 1 adult and 1 child
❓A very casual, gentle and joyful Halloween-themed nursery rhyme sing-song tailored specifically for early years (ages 0–5) with puppets.
Find out more here: https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/little-folk-halloween-pop-up-for-little-ones-nursery-rhymes-sing-song-for-early-years/
🎃Be Spooky Halloween Fun Fest, Richmond
📅24 Oct | ⏰ Hourly from 10am-4pm | 💷 £5
❓Gentle pumpkin carving, soft autumn-themed face painting, and simple fair games (like Witch Hat Hoopla) that move at a child’s own pace.
Find out more here: https://berichmond.london/be-spooky-halloween-fun-fest
SENsory Sundays, West Norwood Library, Lambeth
📅Sun 18th Oct | ⏰ From 1pm-4pm | 💷 Free for Lambeth residents
❓Sensory arts, crafts and messy play.
Find out more here: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/events/sensory-sundays
🎃Halloween Family Day, Sense Family Centre, Barnet
📅Tue 27th Oct | ⏰ 10:30am-12pm | 💷 Free
❓Halloween activities and sensory experiences for young children ages 0 to 4.
Find out more here:https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/halloween-family-day-0-4-years-barnet/
📖Punchdrunk Enrichment Family Day, Wembley
📅Wed 28th Oct | 💷 Free
❓Creative activities, storytelling and hands-on exploration. The relaxed session has reduced noise, lighting and capacity, plus a calm area.
Find out more here: https://www.punchdrunkenrichment.org.uk/events/family-day-oct-2026
🪩Sensory Spooks & Skeletons, Big Red Bus Club, Charlton Park
📅Fri 30th Oct | ⏰ 10am-12pm | 💷 Free
❓A quieter Halloween disco with sensory trays, simple crafts and games.
Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sensory-spooks-skeletons-big-red-bus-club-halloween-disco-tickets-2002909949576?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse
🐶Kew Gardens Hey Duggee Trail, London
📅Tue 27th Oct | 💷 Under 4s Free
❓Brought to life through the playful world of Hey Duggee’s Squirrel Club, this outdoor trail features interactive challenges that encourage fun, exploration and learning in nature.
Find out more here: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/hey-duggee
🗺️Harvest Heroes, Brixton House
📅Tue 27th & Wed 28th Oct | ⏰ 12pm-4pm | 💷 Free
❓Seasonal crafts, sensory play, storytelling and an indoor scavenger hunt.
Find out more here: https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/october-half-term-activities/
🐤SUPER Natural Week, London Wetlands Centre, Barnes
📅Sat 24th – Sun 1st Nov | ⏰ 10am-5:30pm | 💷 From £12.25
❓For one week only, discover a world of natural wonder and mystery. Perfect for younger children, this magical experience offers a scare-free day out in nature. Explore the magical superpowers and folklore of the wetlands. With charming wildlife, seasonal creativity and plenty of outdoor fun and surprises, it’s an awesome experience that will leave nature lovers spellbound.
Find out more here: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/events/super-natural-october-half-term-2026
Wheelchair-accessible Pumpkin Patches
🎃Beck Evans Farm, Sidcup
📅Throughout October | ⏰ 10am-4pm | 💷 £6.23 | £19.19 family of 4 ticket
• Wheelchair access throughout the event
• Disabled parking right next to the patch
• Accessible toilets + baby changing
• Restaurant, refreshments and farm shop
• Adventure softplay
Find out more here: https://beckevansfarm.co.uk/pumpkin-picking/
🎃PYO Pumpkins, Beluncle Farm, Hoo, Rochester
📅10th – 31st Oct | ⏰ 10am-3pm | 💷 £11 per vehicle | £16 per minibus
• Wheelchairs and pushchairs can enter the pumpkin field
• Disabled parking
• Toilets and refreshments
• Wheelbarrows available
• Pumpkin field photo opportunities
It is a real field, so check conditions after rain.
Find out more here: https://pyopumpkins.com/
🎃Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow, London
📅25th Sept – 1st Nov | ⏰ 10am-3pm | 💷 From £7 | Patch and park tickets from £22
• Pumpkin Patch described as buggy-friendly
• Disabled parking
• 5 accessible toilets
• Restaurant, pizza, snacks and ice cream
• Animals and seasonal activities
Some outdoor paths are gravel, so check suitability if you use a large specialist buggy.
Find out more here: https://www.hobbledown.com/hounslow/whats-on/hobbledown-heath-pumpkin-patch/
🏠For Halloween friendly activities at home and preparing for trick-or-treating, check out our sensory-friendly scares blog here: https://www.myfamilyourneeds.co.uk/support-child/sensory-friendly-scares-an-inclusive-halloween-for-all/
Fireworks
✨Beck Evans Farm Silent Fireworks Display, Sidcup
📅Sat 26th Oct | ⏰ 7:30pm | 💷 From £6.23 | £19.19 family of 4 ticket
Find out more here: https://beckevansfarm.co.uk/2024/10/silent-fireworks-display/
💡WILD Drone Light Show across the UK
📅September – December 2026 | ⏰ 6pm | 💷 £33 | £42.50 adults
❓Instead of loud explosives, hundreds of synchronized drones paint giant animals across the night sky to cinematic music. Completely silent, visually incredible, and zero percussive booms. Various dates across the UK.
Find out more here: https://wilddroneshow.com/
🎇Stow Firework Spectacular, Twilight Display, Walthamstow
📅5-7th Nov | ⏰ 6-6:30pm | 💷 From £1
❓A brilliant local community option that runs an early twilight display specifically designed to be lower-noise and kid-friendly before the main evening crowd hits.
Find out more here: https://www.stowfireworkspectacular.co.uk/
🎇 Coram’s Fields Family Fireworks, Bloomsbury
📅Thu 5th Nov | ⏰ 3:30-7pm | 💷 Free
❓A lovely, completely free community event right in central London. Gates open at 3:30 PM with an early display wrapped up by 6:00 PM, meaning you are home before everyone gets overtired.
Find out more here: https://coramsfields.org/event/fireworks-night-2026/
🎇Alexandra Palace Family Sunday
📅Sun 8th Nov | ⏰ 6pm | 💷 From £6.50
❓A lovely, completely free community event right in central London. Gates open at 4pm with an early display at 6pm, meaning you are home before everyone gets overtired.
Find out more here: https://fireworks.london/sunday
🎇Wimbledon Park and Morden Park Fireworks, South London
📅Thu 5th Nov (Wimbledon) and Sat 7th Nov (Morden) | ⏰ 6:45pm | 💷 £11.66 children | £15.90 adults
❓Runs a dedicated family-friendly night featuring an earlier, quieter low-noise display specifically designed for younger children and sensory-sensitive visitors before the louder main show later in the evening. Gates open at 5:15pm with a funfair.
Find out more here: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/wimbledon-and-morden-park-fireworks
🎇Beckenham Fireworks in the Park, South East London
📅Sat 7th Nov | ⏰ 6pm | 💷 £6.36 children | £19.08 adults
❓A long-running community favourite that hosts an early quiet/low-noise display slot alongside a traditional funfair, making it easy to enjoy the lights and head home before heavy crowds peak. At Croydon ground recreation ground, gates open at 4:30pm with a quieter display at 6pm with fireworks for smaller children and the main firework display at 7.30pm. Both displays are set to music.
Find out more here: https://www.beckenhamfireworks.com/
🎇Epsom Fireworks and Funfair at Hook Road Arena, Epsom, Surrey
📅Sat 7th Nov | ⏰ 6:30pm | 💷 £12
❓Features a well-established split schedule with an early low-noise children’s display at 6:30pm, cutting out the booms for families who want a calmer environment. Gates open from 5:30pm.
Find out more here: https://www.epsomfireworks.com/
December and Christmas
🟢 LOW = calmer/reduced stimulation
🟡 MEDIUM = moderated lights, sound & activity
🔴 HIGH = lots of lights, sound, movement & things to explore
🎄 London Christmas Village, Shepherd’s Bush
🔴 HIGH | 📅 28 Nov–23 Dec | 💷 From £15
❓2½-hour immersive Christmas adventure with lights, characters, activities, Santa & 3 gifts. Quieter SEND sessions available, marked when you book.
Find out more here: https://londonchristmasvillage.com/
🐯 Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford
🔴 HIGH | 📅 14th Nov–24th Jan | 💷 From £15
❓TIGER, IT’S SNOWING! is an immersive Story World to explore, plus sensory story spaces.
Find out more here: https://discover.org.uk/
🎅 Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
🟡 MEDIUM | 📅 28th–29th Nov, 6, 11th–13th & 18th–22nd Dec | 💷 From £5
❓Father Christmas, storytelling & crafts. SEND sessions have softer lighting, reduced noise & fewer visitors.
Find out more here: https://ornc.org/whats-on/father-christmas-greenwich/
✨ Thomley Christmas Light Walk, Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire
🔴 MEDIUM–HIGH | 📅 3rd–6th Dec & 11th–12th Dec | 💷 £10 individual | £35 family ticket
❓This is one for children who LOVE Christmas lights and lots of visual input rather than children who need a quiet/low-sensory experience. There’s also plenty of sensory-friendly equipment and facilities at Thomley, including sensory rooms, music room and soft play.
Find out more here: https://thomley.org.uk/events/christmas-light-walk-677-139-407-263/
✨ London Museum Docklands
🔵 LOW | 📅 20 Nov–23 Dec | 💷 From £15
❓Victorian Santa’s Grotto. First two sessions each day are sensory-friendly, with background sounds/music off.
Find out more here: https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/victorian-santas-grotto/
🎄 Santa’s Winter Garden, Fulham Palace, London
🔴 HIGH | 📅 20th Nov–23rd Dec | 💷 From £20
❓ Snow-filled immersive adventure through the gardens, with snowfall, twinkling lights, special effects and festive surprises, followed by Santa. Best for children who LOVE sensory input: lots to see and experience rather than a stripped-back/quiet session.
Find out more here: https://www.santaswintergarden.co.uk/
🎄 Morden Hall Park, Relaxed Hour
🟡 MEDIUM | 📅 5, 6, 12, 13, 19–22 Dec | 💷 £15
❓Father Christmas, festive music & fewer bookings for a calmer atmosphere.
Find out more here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/morden-hall-park/events/bcb94449-92e9-46c3-8892-3a147256bd92
🎄 Christmas at Kew Gardens, Quiet/Early Access
🔴 HIGH | 📅 5, 6, 12, 13, 19–22 Dec | 💷 From £25.50
❓Huge Christmas lights, illuminated tunnels & music, with quieter early access.
Find out more here: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas
❄️ SEN Wonderland, Stratford
🔴 HIGH | 📅 Sat 5 Dec | 💷 Free under 11s | £16.96 adults and over 11’s
❓Sensory play, inflatables, snow, lights, music, singalongs & SENta’s grotto. Timed sessions reduce overcrowding.
Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sen-wonderland-2026-tickets-1977174797042?aff=erelpanelorg
🎅 SEND Fest, Marsh Farm, Chelmsford, Essex
🔴 HIGH | 📅 Sun 22 Dec | 💷 From £20 for Father Christmas Experience
❓A fun Christmas festival exclusively for children and young people with SEND and their families, with a Father Christmas. Explore the Christmas Village, meet Father Christmas, make a bear and explore Marsh Farm.
Find out more here: https://www.send-fest.com/events/marsh-farm-christmas
🎅 Immerse LDN, ExCeL London
🔴 HIGH | 📅 13 Nov – 24 Dec | 💷 From £24.90
❓Created for children aged 3–8, this 50 minute immersive adventure takes families on a journey to the North Pole, where children become part of the story before meeting Santa himself. Including the Wundr Lift, an immersive story, the elves playground, a festive village and more. Wheelchair and buggy accessible throughout, including the Wundr Lift, and assistance dogs welcome. This is an immersive experience with music, lighting effects, live performers, projections and the enclosed Wundr Lift, which includes wind and movement simulation. Families looking for a quieter visit may find weekday daytime sessions the best option.
Find out more here: https://immerseldn.com/events/wundrful-world-christmas
🎅 Alice Immersive Wonderland, Dock X, Canada Water, London
🔴 HIGH | 📅 From 13 Nov | 💷 From £19
❓Wander through 10 extraordinary immersive worlds, meet Wonderland’s most unforgettable characters, step inside scenes brought to life through live performance & theatrical storytelling, discover giant environments, illusions & unexpected surprises and finally… enter the breathtaking Hall of Dreams for a spectacular 20-minute 360° projection-mapped finale.
Find out more here: https://feverup.com/m/753616?srsltid=AU7gw4Xp0CiLuYOOZYa5ePWCSmQQcn7GPARS49Mj3zGxEQ3sGsUavzJ0
🎄For more SEND-friendly Christmas ideas, including at-home fun, check out our Christmas blog: https://www.myfamilyourneeds.co.uk/support-child/the-gift-of-inclusion-creating-memorable-holidays/
Christmas Theatre Shows
The Snowman is playing at the Peacock Theatre from 21st Nov to 3rd Jan 2027. They are hosting a dedicated Relaxed Performance on Wednesday, December 2, 2026 at 2:30pm. It is a wordless, magical dance-theatre journey breath-taking physical choreography, stunning floating sequences
The Nutcracker, English National Ballet from 17th Dec to 10th Jan 2027, featuring accessible programming and calm spaces.
A Christmas Carol takes over The Old Vic from 12th Nov to 9th Jan 2027 with a fully Relaxed and Captioned December 12, 2026 at 2:00pm complete with breakout rooms.
The Snowflake at the Little Angel Theatre magical puppet adaptation to Islington, hosting its Relaxed Performance on Sunday, 17th Jan 2027 at 4:00pm with free carers tickets.
Santa’s First Christmas and Huddle run at the Unicorn Theatre from 14th Nov to 3rd Jan 2027, featuring built-in sensory-friendly adjustments and relaxed environments.
Dick Whittington and His Cat runs at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington from 22nd Nov to 3rd Jan 2027, relaxed performance slots available.
Cirque Alice plays at the Southbank Centre from Sat 12 Dec blending high-level physical circus artistry, dynamic acrobatics.
Scrooge Cirque Extravaganza hits the West End from Wed 23rd Dec combining circus spectacle, dramatic physical performance and theatre
Antarctica plays at the Polka Theatre as a relaxed performance on Sun 29th Nov at 2pm. Ideal for ages 3-7, it’s a magical snowy adventure featuring puppets, clowning and snowy surprises!
Peter Pan also runs at the Polka Theatre as a relaxed performance on Sat 5th December at 11am. Ideal for ages 5-12, it’s a fun and energetic musical adventure with live singing, beatboxing and rap!